ILOILO City – The oil spill in Oriental Mindoro that reached the island municipality of Caluya, Antique has stopped spreading to other islands of the town, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Western.
As of 10 a.m. yesterday, four areas remain affected:
* Sitio Sabang, Barangay Tinogboc – four kilometers of coastline affected with an estimated 8,000 liters of oil sludge
* Sitio Liwagao, Barangay Sibolo – two kilometers of coastline affected with an estimated 8,000 liters of oil sludge
* Barangay Semirara – two kilometers of coastline affected by an estimated 400 liters of oil sludge
* Barangay Alegria – minimal oil spill
The number of affected households reached 6,716 made up of 22,546 individuals.
Of the estimated 16,400 liters of oil sludge, 3,100 liters and 431 sacks of garbage/debris were collected, according to PCG-Western Visayas spokesperson, Lieutenant Commander Jansen Benjamin.
He said the oil spill did not further spread because the leakage in the sunken MT Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro has stopped.
However, the PCG said is remains vigilant; the vessel is still submerged, Benjamin pointed out.
“As long as may makita kita nga naga-itom sa dagat and sa sand sa mga areas nga affected, we would still continue to clean. We cannot say therefore kon how long,” said Benjamin.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has to conduct water sampling to ensure the affected areas are oil spill-free./PN
